The Minnesota Vikings have a contingency plan in place in the event Jordan Addison misses games due to a potential suspension: former fourth-year sixth-round draft pick Jalen Nailor. Nailor got a major vote of confidence from head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Selected with the 191st overall pick in the 2022 draft, Nailor set career-high marks with 28 receptions for 414 yards and 6 touchdowns during the 2024 regular season.
O’Connell forecasted a “huge role” for Nailor in the Vikings’ offense after a “great year” in 2024.
“He understands now, after all those reps and a full healthy season, there’s one way to do that, and that’s have your body prepared, and he certainly did that for the spring. He came back a couple days ago, looking ready to roll. And we’ll see how these first few weeks look, what type of personnel we’re going to have for those games when we get all the information on our group back,” O’Connell told reporters on July 23.
“Speedy could be a huge, huge contributor early and often all season long, and that’s my expectation. He’s primed and ready to play a huge role in our offense.”
O’Connell cited Nailor stepping up for the Vikings when Addison suffered an ankle injury in the 2024 regular season opener against the New York Giants. Addison was sidelined for the next two weeks.
Nailor had a 6-85-2 line in those games, which were Vikings wins over the Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers.
O’Connell called Nailor’s 2024 camp a “precursor” to a “great year,” citing his “versatility.”
Jalen Nailor Called Vikings Called Vikings’ Best-Kept Secret
Nailor’s career line (40-622-7) speaks to his lack of availability. The former Michigan State Spartan missed 11 games in 2023 due to injuries. It also belies the excitement about how big a factor the deep threat can be.
Nailor finished 2024 second on the Vikings behind Justin Jefferson in yards per reception, albeit on far less volume.
Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder called Nailor the Vikings’ “best-kept secret.”
“Nailor quietly proved to be a quality WR3 and fourth option in the passing game last season,” Holder wrote in May. “If the 2022 sixth-round pick can cut down on the drops–four last season, per PFF–he can carve out an even bigger role in Minnesota this fall.”
Most notably, O’Connell has remained consistent in his messaging about Nailor.
“I think, Speedy, what we were always hoping for was to see what it looked like when he was able to stay healthy. He was able to do that, and I think he learned, over the course of the season, the different, unique ways that Justin gets defended has a direct impact on how he needs to prepare to play,” O’Connell told reporters in April.
“I think Speedy’s going to have a great year. I think this is a massive, massive year for his career.”
Jalen Nailor Faces New Competition for Snaps
Nailor could face increased competition for reps from his Vikings teammates. The Vikings added multiple receivers to the group. That includes rookie third-round pick Tai Felton and veteran free agent addition Rondale Moore.
Moore made a brief appearance in the Vikings’ social media video recapping their first practice. Moreover, ESPN’s Aaron Schatz called him the team’s “nonstarter to know.”
“A 2021 second-round pick, Moore never put up more than 435 receiving yards in a season during three seasons with the Cardinals. He was traded to Atlanta last season, but he missed the entire year with a knee injury,” Schatz wrote on July 21. “Moore can compete with Jalen Nailor for snaps to WR3. Can Moore finally really produce as a receiver? And will O’Connell also use Moore’s rushing skills? He had 28 carries for 178 yards and a touchdown in 2023.”
Like Nailor, Moore is on an expiring contract with the Vikings.
